Vending machine of encapsulated article of commerce

ABSTRACT

It is an object of the invention to provide a bill-operated capsuled article vending machine. The capsuled article vending machine  10  is provided with a capsule container  12  at an upper portion thereof and a capsule dispensing unit  14  at a lower portion thereof. The capsule dispensing unit  14  is provided with a reverse rotation preventing mechanism  44  of the handle  32 , a bill identifying unit  50 , a bill storing box  52  and a rotation control unit  54  for the handle  32 , in addition to the handle  32 . The rotation control unit  54  is provided with a locking mechanism  60  for locking or unlocking the handle  32 , a sensor  62  for detecting a rotational position or a rotational angle of the handle  32  and a control unit  64 . When the bill identifying unit  50  recognizes reception of a prescribed bill, the rotation control unit  54  enables one rotation of the handle  32 , by which an article is dispensed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a capsuled article vending machine forselling a commodity such as a toy enclosed in a spherical capsule.

2. Description of the Related Art

A capsuled article vending machine is targeted mainly at juveniles.Accordingly it is designed for inserting a coin and dispensing anarticle enclosed in a capsule in exchange for the coin. Such capsuledarticle vending machine is provided with a capsule container at an upperportion thereof and a capsule dispensing unit at a lower portionthereof.

A purchaser inserts a coin and then rotates a handle. The capsuledarticle vending machine lets the purchaser rotate the handle only oncewith a clicking sound, and dispenses an article enclosed in a capsulewhen the rotating action is completed. Through such procedure, thecapsuled article vending machine gives the purchaser an expectativesensation on which of those articles shown in the capsule container willbe delivered. On the part of the purchaser, he or she expands theexpectation with an auditory stimulation by the clicking sound under anactual feeling of operating the machine by his/her own hand.

However a conventional capsuled article vending machine is designed forselling an inexpensive article since its main target is young people.

Therefore it is not suitable for selling an expensive article.

It might be possible to sell an expensive article, by setting thevending machine to receive a plurality of coins. However it istroublesome for a purchaser to insert a plurality of coins. In addition,the capsuled article vending machine has to have a more complicatedstructure in order to receive a plurality of coins.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a capsuledarticle vending machine to be operated by insertion of a monetary bill.

It is another object of the invention to provide a capsuled articlevending machine to be operated by insertion of a monetary bill,maintaining the function for producing auditory stimulation, which is anadvantage of the coin-operated capsuled article vending machine.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a capsuledarticle vending machine to be operated by insertion of a monetary bill,maintaining the function of producing tactile feeling from operating themachine the purchase him/herself.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a capsuledarticle vending machine to be operated by insertion of a monetary billthat can prevent an erroneous dispensing operation that may be caused bya purchaser's article dispensing operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention achieves the foregoing object by providing acapsuled article vending machine having a capsule container and acapsule dispensing unit for dispensing a capsule out of the capsulecontainer through the capsule dispensing unit each time a handle isrotated by one rotation, comprising a bill identifying unit foridentifying a monetary bill; a bill storing box located at a downstreamside of the bill identifying unit; and a rotation control unit forenabling one rotation of the handle after a bill is identified by thebill identifying unit.

According to the capsuled article vending machine of the invention,since the rotation control unit enables one rotation of the handle uponacceptance of a bill through the bill identifying unit, a more expensivearticle can be sold than by a conventional capsuled article vendingmachine. Consequently, expensive merchandise over an extensive varietycan be sold through the capsuled article vending machine of theinvention.

According to the invention as set forth in Claims 1 and 2, since therotation control unit enables one rotation of the handle upon acceptanceof a bill through the bill identifying unit, a more expensive articlecan be sold than by a conventional capsuled article vending machine.Consequently, expensive merchandise over an extensive variety can besold through the capsuled article vending machine of the invention.

The invention according to Claim 3 provides a capsuled article vendingmachine having a capsule container and a capsule dispensing unit fordispensing a capsule out of the capsule container through the capsuledispensing unit each time a handle is rotated by one rotation,comprising therein a reverse rotation preventing mechanism of thehandle; a bill identifying unit for identifying a monetary bill; and arotation control unit for enabling one rotation of the handle after abill is identified by the bill identifying unit; wherein the rotationcontrol unit is provided with a locking mechanism of the handle, asensor for detecting rotational motion of the handle, and a control unitfor locking or unlocking the locking mechanism according to operation ofthe sensor.

According to such capsuled article vending machine, the reverse rotationpreventing mechanism prevents the handle from rotating in a reversedirection and the rotation control unit enables one forward rotation ofthe handle upon acceptance of a bill through the bill identifying unit.And since the bill identifying unit for accepting a bill, the reverserotation preventing mechanism of the handle and the rotation controlunit are contained inside the capsuled article vending machine forselling an article in exchange with a bill, expensive merchandise overan extensive variety can be sold without modifying an outer appearanceof a conventional capsuled article vending machine.

Unlike a conventional vending machine that enables one rotation of thehandle by insertion of a coin, the capsuled article vending machineaccording to the invention is, because of being a bill-operated vendingmachine, provided with a locking mechanism of the handle, a sensor fordetecting rotational motion of the handle and a control unit for lockingor unlocking the locking mechanism according to operation of the sensor,in order to enable one rotation of the handle. As a result of suchconstitution, one rotation of the handle can be activated in relationwith the bill identifying unit.

According to invention as set forth in Claim 4, the reverse rotationpreventing mechanism is provided with ratchet teeth that rotates insynchronization with the handle and a ratchet engaged with the ratchetteeth for preventing a reverse rotation of the handle, so that vibrationis propagated to the handle and an impact sound is produced each timethe ratchet passes over each of the ratchet teeth. Since the reverserotation preventing mechanism is provided with ratchet teeth thatrotates in synchronization with the handle and a ratchet engaged withthe ratchet teeth for preventing a reverse rotation of the handle, sothat vibration is propagated to the handle and an impact sound isproduced each time the ratchet passes over each of the ratchet teeth,the capsuled article vending machine according to the invention,constituted so as to dispense an article in exchange with a bill, cangive a purchaser an expectation and stimulation through tactile andauditory sense as in the case of a coin-operated capsuled articlevending machine.

According to invention as set forth in Claim 5, the locking mechanism isprovided with a cam plate attached to the handle and a solenoid locatedin the capsule dispensing unit, and the control unit activates an ironcore of the solenoid to move back and forth toward a recess formed onthe cam plate, in order to lock or unlock a forward rotational motion ofthe handle. The locking mechanism is provided with a cam plate attachedto the handle and a solenoid located in the capsule dispensing unit, andis constituted in such a manner that an iron core of the solenoid isactivated by the control unit to move back and forth toward a recessformed on the cam plate, in order to lock or unlock a forward rotationalmotion of the handle. Under such configuration, since the sensordetecting a rotational motion of the handle causes a mechanical actionof engaging the iron core of the solenoid with the cam plate rotating insynchronization with the handle, to thereby directly lock or unlock thehandle for dispensing an article, exactly one piece of merchandise canbe dispensed, thus eliminating erroneous operation.

According to the invention as set forth in Claim 6, the sensor detects arotational motion of the handle based on detection of the recess. Sincethe sensor detects a rotational motion of the handle based on detectionof the recess, the iron cote of the solenoid can be driven at anaccurate timing, and an unnecessary factor can be eliminated.

According to the invention as set forth in Claim 7, the sensor comprisesa first sensor for detecting a start of the handle rotation upondetecting an arrival of the recess and a second sensor for detecting acompletion of the handle rotation upon detecting an arrival of therecess, and the control unit locks the handle when the second sensordetects an arrival of the recess after the first sensor has detected therecess. Since the sensor comprises a first sensor for detecting a startof the handle rotation upon detecting an arrival of the recess and asecond sensor for detecting a completion of the handle rotation upondetecting an arrival of the recess and the control unit locks the handlewhen the second sensor detects an arrival of the recess after the firstsensor has detected the recess, erroneous operation of the solenoid canbe prevented even when the second sensor is activated owing to a play inthe reverse rotation preventing mechanism, and resultantly themerchandise can be properly dispensed.

According to the invention as set forth in Claim 8, an angle θ1 of therecess of the cam plate is greater than an angle θ2 formed by a rear endportion of the recess in a locked state and a position where the secondsensor detects the recess. Therefore, the iron core of the solenoid doesnot fail to be driven forward toward inside the recess when the secondsensor detects the recess, which surely prevents an erroneous operationsuch as repeated rotation of the handle and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a capsuled article vending machineaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a turntable unit of thecapsuled article vending machine;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a capsule dispensing unitof the capsuled article vending machine;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a handle frame of the capsuledarticle vending machine viewed from a back of the handle;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a constitution of the capsuled articlevending machine including a control unit;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing operating process of the control unit;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory drawing of operation of a rotation control unitof the capsuled article vending machine;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory drawing of operation of the rotation controlunit; and

FIG. 9 is an explanatory drawing of operation of the rotation controlunit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Now referring to the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of thecapsuled article vending machine according to the present inventionshall be described hereunder.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire capsuled article vendingmachine.

The capsuled article vending machine 10 is provided with a capsulecontainer 12 at an upper portion thereof and a capsule dispensing unit14 at a lower portion thereof.

The capsule container 12 constitutes a merchandise showcase having fourvertical panels, out of which three except a back panel, or all four areclear panels. A top cover 16 is provided at an uppermost end portion ofthe capsule container 12. The top cover 16 can be opened or locked witha key 18. A number of clear spherical capsules, which are not shownthough, are to be stored in the capsule container 12. Either an articleitself or a ticket for exchanging with an article is enclosed in therespective capsules.

The capsule dispensing unit 14 serves to dispense a capsule out of thecapsule container 12. The capsule dispensing unit 14 is provided with aturntable unit 22 mounted on a hopper 20 placed at a bottom portion ofthe capsule container 12, as shown in FIG. 2.

A turntable 24 on the turntable unit 22 is provided with openings 26 atintervals of 60 degrees, into which one of the capsules is to getcaught. The turntable unit 22 may be constituted in different waysdepending on a shape and size of the capsule, and may for example havethe openings 26 for capturing the capsule at every 90 degrees.

When the turntable unit 22 rotates, one of the capsules falls into oneof the openings 26, which is to be aligned with a through hole 28provided on the hopper 20.

The turntable unit 22 is provided with a bevel gear 30. A handle frame31 is attached to a front wall of the capsuled article vending machine10. A handle 32 is rotatably mounted on the handle frame 31. Rotation ofthe handle 32 is transmitted to the turntable unit 22 from a pinion gear34 fixed to the handle 32 through the bevel gear 30. One rotation of thehandle causes a linked rotational motion of the turntable unit 22 by 60degrees or 90 degrees. Also, the turntable unit 22 is provided with asweeping bar 36 for driving the capsules in the capsule container 12into the openings 26.

The capsule that has passed through the through hole 28 of the hopper 20is led to an outlet 40 through a J-shaped chute 38 as shown in FIG. 3.The outlet 40 is provided with a cover 42 with its upper edge supportedby a hinge. It is unknown to a purchaser which of the merchandise comesout, until he or she opens the cover 42.

The capsule dispensing unit 14 is provided with a reverse rotationpreventing mechanism 44 of the handle 32, in addition to the handle 32.As shown in FIG. 4, the reverse rotation preventing mechanism 44 isprovided with ratchet teeth 46 attached to the handle 32 and a ratchet48 engaged with the ratchet teeth 46. The ratchet teeth 46 are fixed tothe handle 32 inside the capsuled article vending machine 10 forperforming synchronized rotation with the handle 32. The ratchet 48 hasits tip portion energized toward a center of the ratchet teeth 46, toremain constantly engaged with the ratchet teeth 46. Once a tooth of theratchet teeth 46 passes over the ratchet 48, the ratchet teeth 46 can nolonger rotate in a reverse direction. At this moment, the reverserotation preventing mechanism produces a metallic clicking sound thatstimulates an auditory sense of the purchaser.

The capsule dispensing unit 14 of the capsuled article vending machine10 according to the invention, which has been designed for operationwith a monetary bill, is provided with a bill identifying unit 50, abill storing box 52 and a rotation control unit 54 for the handle 32 asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Also, a bill slot 56 and an LED 58 are providedby the side of the handle 32 on the front face of the capsuled articlevending machine 10. Here, the bill slot 56 and the LED 58 may bedisposed at a different position such as on a lateral wall of thecapsuled article vending machine 10.

The bill identifying unit 50 decides whether a bill inserted through thebill slot 56 is an authentic one or not. Then a signal indicating theauthenticity of the bill and a signal indicating a value and a number ofthe bills are transmitted to the rotation control unit 54. The bill thathas passed through the bill identifying unit 50 is transferred to thebill storing box 52.

The bill identifying unit 50 and the bill storing box 52 are placedinside the capsuled article vending machine 10.

The rotation control unit 54 is provided with a locking mechanism 60 forlocking or unlocking the handle 32, a sensor 62 for detecting arotational position or a rotational angle of the handle 32 and a controlunit 64 for controlling the locking mechanism 60 and the sensor 62.

As shown in details in FIG. 4 and FIGS. 7 through 10, the lockingmechanism 60 of this embodiment is provided with a cam plate having arecess 66 and with a solenoid 72 having an iron core 70 that can bemoved back and forth.

The cam plate 68 is attached to the handle 32 inside the capsuledarticle vending machine 10, so as to rotate in synchronization with thehandle 32. The solenoid 72 is mounted on the handle frame 31 supportingthe handle 32, inside the capsuled article vending machine 10. The ironcore 70 of the solenoid 72 moves forward along a direction of a normalof the cam plate 68 under an exited state, and moves backward along adirection of the normal of the cam plate 68 in a non-exited state.

The recess 66 of the cam plate 68 is formed by cutting away a portion ofa circumferential surface of the cam plate 68 over a phase angle θ1,which is approx. 90 degrees. The recess 66 is constituted of a slopeportion 74, an arc-shaped bottom face 76 having a diameter that issmaller than that of the cam plate 68 and a stopper portion 78 in adirection of a normal of the cam plate 68, along a rotating direction ofthe handle 32.

A tip portion of the iron core 70 of the solenoid 72 enters into therecess 66 when the iron core 70 moves forward. When the iron core 70 isin the recess 66, a locked state is established. The tip portion of theiron core 70 of the solenoid 72 is separated from a circumferentialsurface of the cam plate 68 when the iron core 70 moves backward. Whenthe iron core 70 is separated from the circumferential surface of thecam plate 68, the locking state is released.

Under the locked state, the handle 32 is kept from rotating in adirection to dispense a capsule (a forward direction) by the rotationcontrol unit 54. Meanwhile, reverse rotation of the handle 32 isprevented by the reverse rotation preventing mechanism 44.

When the locking state is released, the handle 32 can freely rotate in adirection to dispense a capsule (a forward direction). However reverserotation of the handle 32 is still prevented by the reverse rotationpreventing mechanism 44.

Also, the locking mechanism may be constituted in different ways, suchas forming an arc-shaped recess or an arc-shaped through hole extendingalong a circumferential surface. In such cases the iron core 70 of thesolenoid 72 is to move back and forth along an axial direction of thecam plate 68 to get engaged or disengaged with the recess or the throughhole, thereby locking or unlocking the handle 32.

However, taking into account the availability of a space for mountingthe solenoid 72, it is preferable to arrange so as to move the iron core70 of the solenoid 72 back and forth along a direction of a normal, i.e.a radial direction of the cam plate 68 as shown in FIG. 4, since thepinion gear 34, capsule dispensing chute 36, the ratchet 46, etc. arelocated in the proximity of a back side of the handle 32.

In this embodiment, the sensor 62 is constituted of a first sensor 62Aand a second sensor 62B. The respective sensors 62A, 62B detect arotational position or a rotational angle of the cam plate 68, i.e. arotational position or a rotational angle of the handle 32, by detectingan arrival of the recess 66. Otherwise it is also possible to provide aprojection on the cam plate 68 so that a sensor detects the rotationalposition upon detecting the projection, or to detect the rotationalangle by counting a number of teeth of the pinion gear 34 or the ratchetteeth 46, in order to detect the rotational position or the rotationalangle of the cam plate 68 i.e. of the handle 32. However, from aviewpoint of the arrangement of components and mechanism within alimited space, utilizing the recess 66 for locking and unlocking thehandle 32 for the detection of the rotational position of the cam plate68 is more advantageous since a number of components can be reduced andthe overall structure can thereby be simplified.

A principal function of the first sensor 62A is to detect a start of arotation of the handle 32. Accordingly, a phase angle between thesolenoid 72 and the first sensor 62A is greater than the phase angle θ1of the recess 66. With a capsuled article vending machine of a similartype, a purchaser usually rotates the handle 32 twice, by approx. 180degrees each time. Therefore, it is preferable to dispose the firstsensor 62A within 180 degrees from an end portion of the recess 66, inorder to detect a start of the handle rotation at the first rotatingaction of 180 degrees by the purchaser. In this embodiment, the firstsensor 62A detects an arrival of the recess 66 at approx. 60 degreesfrom the end portion of the recess 66. A signal emitted by the firstsensor 62A is transmitted to the control unit 64.

The second sensor 62B is provided mainly for detecting that one rotationof the handle 32 is about to be completed, so that the handle 32 is keptfrom rotating any further once one rotation is completed. For suchpurpose, a phase angle θ2 between the solenoid 72 and the second sensor62B is smaller than the phase angle θ1 of the recess 66. When the secondsensor 62B detects an arrival of the recess 66 the iron core 70 movesforward toward a bottom face of the recess 66, by which an additionalrotation of the handle 32 is prevented after one rotation is completed.A signal emitted by the second sensor 62B is transmitted to the controlunit 64, as the case of the first sensor 62A.

Also, the first sensor 62A and the second sensor 62B serve to detect aposition of the handle 32 at which a bill can be inserted.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control system of the capsuledarticle vending machine 10; FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing operatingprocess of the control unit 64; and FIGS. 7 through 10 are explanatorydrawings of operation of the locking mechanism 60, the first sensor 62Aand the second sensor 62B. The control unit 64 receives a signal fromthe bill identifying unit 50, to control the locking mechanism 60, thefirst sensor 62A and the second sensor 62B based on the signal.Operation of the capsuled article vending machine 10 shall now bedescribed hereunder referring to FIGS. 5 through 10.

When the handle 32 is at its initial position, the iron core 70 of thesolenoid 72 is inside the recess 66 of the cam plate 68 and adjacent tothe stopper portion 78, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 7. The iron core 70is spaced from the bottom face 76, i.e. not interfering with the bottomface 76. The first sensor 62A and the second sensor 62B are in contactwith a circumferential surface of the cam plate 68, and are tuned ONrespectively.

The handle 32 and the cam plate 68, despite being prevented fromrotating in a reverse direction by the reverse rotation preventingmechanism 44, can slightly rotate by an angle θ3 because of a play ofthe ratchet teeth 46 and the ratchet 48. The phase angle θ2 between thesolenoid 72 and the second sensor 62B is sufficiently greater than theplay angle θ3, so that the second sensor 62B does not detect the recess66 owing to the play of the reverse rotation preventing mechanism 44. Inorder to avoid an erroneous detection because of the play, it isdesirable that the phase angle θ2 is as large as possible. However, incase where the phase angle θ2 becomes greater than the phase angle θ1 ofthe recess 66 the iron core 70 interferes with the cam plate 68.Therefore, it is preferable to set the respective phase angles so as tosatisfy a condition of θ1>θ2>θ3.

The control unit 64 enables insertion of a bill (the step S12) providedthat the first sensor 62A and the second sensor 62B are ON (S10, S11).At this stage, the control unit 64 either activates the LED 58 locatedat the front face of the capsuled article vending machine 10, or causesthe LED 58 to emit a prescribed color (S13).

A purchaser inserts a bill through the bill slot 56 located at the frontface of the capsuled article vending machine 10 (S14). A value and anumber of the bill to be inserted vary depending on preparedmerchandise. The bill identifying unit 50 identifies the value and thenumber of the inserted bills, and emits a signal indicating the valueand the number of the bills to the control unit 64 (S15). The controlunit 64 examines the inserted bill (S16). In case where the bill shouldprove to be a forged one, for example an alarm sound is activated (S30).

Once the bill has proved to be authentic and a sum of the bill reaches apredetermined amount, the control unit 64 causes the iron core 70 of thesolenoid 72 to move backward (S17).

As shown in FIG. 8, the iron core 70 is separated from a circumferentialsurface of the cam plate 68 by a gap c. At this stage, the control unit64 causes the LED 58 to emit a prescribed color, thereby visuallygranting the purchaser a permission to rotate the handle 32 (S18).

While the purchaser is rotating the handle 32 in a forward direction thereverse rotation preventing mechanism 44 produces a metallic clickingsound each time a tooth of the ratchet teeth 46 passes over the ratchet48, to stimulate the auditory sense of the purchaser. Also, vibrationcaused when the ratchet teeth 46 pass over the ratchet 48 stimulates thetactile sense of the purchaser.

When the handle 32 and the cam plate 68 have rotated by a certain angle,the first sensor 62A detects the recess 66 and becomes OFF. With asuccessive rotation thereafter, the first sensor 62A returns to the ONstate. The control unit 64 recognizes the transition of ON-OFF-ON of thefirst sensor 62A (S19, S20). These steps assure that the handle 32 iscorrectly operated, and securely prevents a malfunction that the handle32 cannot rotate because of the play of the reverse rotation preventingmechanism 44.

The steps up to the stage where the first sensor 62A detects the recess66 is terminated upon completion of the first rotating action of 180degrees performed by the purchaser.

With the second rotating action of the handle 32 by the purchaser, theiron core 70 of the solenoid 72 enters into a range of the phase angleof the recess 66, prior to detection of the recess 66 by the secondsensor 62B. Then, when the second sensor 62B becomes OFF upon detectingan arrival of the recess 66 (S21), the control unit 64 causes the ironcore 70 to move forward toward the recess 66 (S22).

As a result of forming the recess 66 with a certain phase angle θ1, aswell as of setting a sufficient range of phase angle θ2 between thesolenoid 72 and the second sensor 62B, a sufficient time is secured forthe iron core 70 to achieve a forward movement within a range of therecess 66. Therefore, even when the rotation of the handle 32 over thelatter 180 degrees is quickly performed, the iron core 70 of thesolenoid 72 can be caused to complete the motion to securely achieve acontact with the stopper portion 78.

It is to be understood that the foregoing embodiment has been disclosedonly for illustrative purpose rather than for limiting the invention,with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by theappended claims.

1. A capsuled article vending machine having a capsule container and acapsule dispensing unit for dispensing a capsule out of the capsulecontainer through the capsule dispensing unit each time a handle isrotated by one rotation, said capsuled article vending machinecomprising: a bill identifying unit for identifying a monetary bill; abill storing box located at a downstream side of the bill identifyingunit; and a rotation control unit for enabling one rotation of thehandle after a bill is identified by the bill identifying unit.
 2. Thecapsuled article vending machine according to claim 1 wherein therotation control unit is provided with a locking mechanism for lockingor unlocking the handle.
 3. A capsuled article vending machine having acapsule container and a capsule dispensing unit for dispensing a capsuleout of the capsule container through the capsule dispensing unit eachtime a handle is rotated by one rotation, said capsuled article vendingmachine comprising: a reverse rotation preventing mechanism of thehandle; a bill identifying unit for identifying a monetary bill; and arotation control unit for enabling one rotation of the handle after abill is identified by the bill identifying unit; wherein the rotationcontrol unit is provided with a locking mechanism of the handle, asensor for detecting rotational motion of the handle, and a control unitfor locking or unlocking the locking mechanism according to operation ofthe sensor.
 4. The capsuled article vending machine according to claim 3wherein the reverse rotation preventing mechanism is provided withratchet teeth that rotates in synchronization with the handle and aratchet engaged with the ratchet teeth for preventing a reverse rotationof the handle, wherein vibration is propagated to the handle and animpact sound is produced each time the ratchet passes over each of theratchet teeth. 5-8. (canceled)
 9. The capsuled article vending machineaccording to claim 3 wherein the locking mechanism is provided with acam plate attached to the handle and a solenoid located in the capsuledispensing unit, and the control unit activates an iron core of thesolenoid to move back and forth toward a recess formed on the cam plate,in order to lock or unlock a forward rotational motion of the handle.10. The capsuled article vending machine according to claim 4 whereinthe locking mechanism is provided with a cam plate attached to thehandle and a solenoid located in the capsule dispensing unit, and thecontrol unit activates an iron core of the solenoid to move back andforth toward a recess formed on the cam plate, in order to lock orunlock a forward rotational motion of the handle.
 11. The capsuledarticle vending machine according to claim 9 wherein the sensor detectsa rotational motion of the handle based on detection of the recess. 12.The capsuled article vending machine according to claim 10 wherein thesensor detects a rotational motion of the handle based on detection ofthe recess.
 13. The capsuled article vending machine according to claim11 wherein the sensor comprises a first sensor for detecting a start ofthe handle rotation upon detecting an arrival of the recess and a secondsensor for detecting a completion of the handle rotation upon detectingan arrival of the recess, and the control unit locks the handle when thesecond sensor detects an arrival of the recess after the first sensorhas detected the recess.
 14. The capsuled article vending machineaccording to claim 12 wherein the sensor comprises a first sensor fordetecting a start of the handle rotation upon detecting an arrival ofthe recess and a second sensor for detecting a completion of the handlerotation upon detecting an arrival of the recess, and the control unitlocks the handle when the second sensor detects an arrival of the recessafter the first sensor has detected the recess.
 15. The capsuled articlevending machine according to claim 13 wherein an angle θ1 of the recessof the cam plate is greater than an angle θ2 formed by a rear endportion of the recess in a locked state and a position where the secondsensor detects the recess.
 16. The capsuled article vending machineaccording to claim 14 wherein an angle θ1 of the recess of the cam plateis greater than an angle θ2 formed by a rear end portion of the recessin a locked state and a position where the second sensor detects therecess.